Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme did not practice again Friday, making it still more likely that backup David Carr will start Sunday against Tampa Bay in Bank of America Stadium. Delhomme, who is listed as doubtful for Sunday on Carolina's injury report, said after practice that he has yet to throw a ball this week as he recovers from an elbow strained last Sunday. "I'm still holding out hope," he said. "When a couple of years ago or whenever I broke my thumb, I didn't take a snap until Saturday morning. So we'll see. I am feeling better; I'm gripping the ball, it feels pretty good. So we'll see from there."

Jake Delhomme missed practice again Thursday with a strained right elbow, making it more likely backup David Carr will start at quarterback for Carolina on Sunday against Tampa Bay. Panthers coach John Fox, always secretive with injuries, sidestepped a question on whether Delhomme tried to throw. "He did not participate [in practice]," Fox said. "That's all .. I've got to say and that's all I'm going to say. You know that."

Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme has a strained right elbow and is listed as day-to-day, Panthers coach John Fox said today during his weekly press conference. Delhomme, who injured his arm late in the third quarter of Sunday's game at Atlanta when he was sacked by the Falcons' John Abraham, had a magnetic resonance imaging test this morning, Fox said. "It's a strained elbow," Fox said. "It won't require surgery; it's a rehab situation. And it's day-to-day."

Steve Smith conjured echoes of the 2003 playoffs with another long touchdown catch that propelled the Carolina Panthers and quieted the same St. Louis crowd. Smith outsprinted Tye Hill on a 68-yard catch for the go-ahead play in Carolina's 27-13 opening victory on Sunday. As Smith eased into the end zone, Hill could only watch as he stumbled and then slid on his stomach for several yards. "Hey, I make plays," Smith said. "That's what I'm here to do."